Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant. Matthew 20:26, 27.
With Judas an element of antagonism was introduced among the disciples…. That which ruled him was the hope of selfish benefit in the worldly kingdom which he expected Christ to establish. Though recognizing the divine power of the love of Christ, Judas did not yield to its supremacy. He continued to cherish his own judgment and opinions, his disposition to criticize and condemn. Christ’s motives and movements, often so far above his comprehension, excited doubt and disapproval, and his own questionings and ambitions were insinuated to the disciples. Many of their contentions for supremacy, much of their dissatisfaction with Christ’s methods, originated with Judas.
He introduced controversies and misleading sentiments, repeating the arguments urged by the scribes and Pharisees against the claims of Christ…. He would introduce texts of Scripture that had no connection with the truths Christ was presenting. These texts, separated from their connection, perplexed the disciples…. Yet all this was done by Judas in such a way as to make it appear that he was conscientious. And while the disciples were searching for evidence to confirm the words of the Great Teacher, Judas would lead them almost imperceptibly on another track…. In all that Christ said to His disciples, there was something with which, in heart, Judas disagreed….
Yet Judas made no open opposition, nor seemed to question the Saviour’s lessons. He made no outward murmur until the time of the feast in Simon’s house. When Mary anointed the Saviour’s feet, Judas manifested his covetous disposition. At the reproof from Jesus his very spirit seemed turned to gall. Wounded pride and desire for revenge broke down the barriers, and the greed so long indulged held him in control. This will be the experience of everyone who persists in tampering with sin. The elements of depravity that are not resisted and overcome respond to Satan’s temptation, and the soul is led captive at his will.
Conflict and Courage p. 287
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Prayer Requests
—–update—Joshua, Pascal, and Tatelynn are out of the hospital but still are in need of our prayers.
—–please pray for my cousins daughter, Lisa. Is in hospital ER with blood clot in lung. Alma
—-My son Nicholas needs prayer for depression and other issues. Shirley
—-Please pray for a friend and her husband. He is very ill. Eileen
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Dear Friends,
I love photos. My computer is full of photos old and new. I have even put photos that my children have taken on it so my hard drive is getting filled way too quickly. When I was a little girl, I loved to look at pictures too. I used to enjoy taking my grandmother’s large photo album upon my lap and looking carefully at each picture. There were some very old tintypes including one of my great-grandmother when she was a girl, there were some photos of people I had never met, there were others that were of people who were dear to me. Sometimes my grandmother would tell me a little about one of the people whom I did not know. I loved to get her reminiscing because then she would tell me a little about the relatives who were pictured there. One of the photos that fascinated me was of Aunt Ida and Uncle Ben who lived in the western part of the United States . I had never met them, as they were too old to travel the long way to Michigan . Aunt Ida was my grandmother’s aunt.
One day, when I was in my teens, I received a tiny box with an unfamiliar postmark in the mail. When I opened the box, I found a plastic gardenia brooch. Removing it from the box, and unfolding the note underneath, I learned that Aunt Ida had loved that pin and wore it often. She recently had died and that in her will, she had left me this gaudy thing that glowed in the dark. There was also a recent photograph for me to remember her.
I was shocked! I had no idea that Aunt Ida or Uncle Ben even knew that I existed. Although I never wore that gaudy pin, I kept it for many years. It was precious to me because this lady, whom I had never met, had thought enough of me to will something to me that she had valued so much. Occasionally, I would take it out of that tiny box, unwrap it, and feel special. Unfortunately, it was one of the items destroyed when we lost all of our possessions in a fire in the 1970’s.
We have Someone, Who has given us something far more precious than that glow-in-the-dark brooch. Our Great Redeemer has given us His Holy Word to lead us to Himself, yet, how often we take it for granted and rarely take it off from the shelf. We keep it as a possession without allowing its Author to take possession of us. Our Dear Saviour urges us, “Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” John 5:39 From Genesis to Revelation, God’s Holy Word reveals the Great Plan of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, on the road to Emmaus, He began ” at Moses and all the prophets, [and] expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.” Luke 24:27
Seeing how that Jesus is Great Theme of the Bible, shouldn’t we study that Word which reveals to us the Way of Salvation? His dealings with His followers of long ago, help us to understand His dealings in our life. Paul tells us, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom 15:4 From the stories of the Patriarchs to the prophecies of Revelation, they “are able to make [us] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16,17
Let us “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Letus hide his His Word in our heart, that we might not sin against God. ” Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.” Rom 16:25,26,24
Rose